wallace



. 3 Sheets-Sheet 1.

(No Model.)

H mm AMY m .E EV A No. 312,411." Patented Feb. 17,1885.

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

A. E. WALLACE; VBLOCIPEDE.

'-N0.'s12,411. Patented Feb. 17, 1885.

WITNESSES INVENTDR Maw; M 84 of the city of Hartford, in the Stateol' (Jonnecticut, have invented certain new and usecentral gearing. rotary-motion, tubular-frame trieycles .herctot'ore in use, and in certain To all 2071 0171, 17 71mg concern:

'0, and axle U, and which may be called the UNrTEnSTATns ATENT ALBERT n. WALLACE, or fnAn'rronn, CONNECTICUT, 'itssIeNoR To THE POPE MANUEAQTUIHNG eonraw xzor sane PLACE.

'VELOCIPEDE.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 312,411,6ated February 717. 995.

Application til d Xovember 29, 1584. (,Xu model.) 7

Be it; known that- I, Arm-arr F. \VALLAUL,

fnl Improvements in Velocipedes, of which the following is a specification.

My improvements relate to that class of we locipedes known as bicycles, although some of them are equally applicable to other machines; and they consist, in the construetion of atwo-track, trout-steering. double-driving,

tricycle of greater simplicity, lighter weight, better adjustahilit'y, greater el'lieiency, and more QCtlllOllllCill construction than any of-thc parts and combinz'ttions, hereinafter more specifically pointed out. i

The nature and construction of my improve ments will be more apparent from the following description. taken in connection with the drawings, in whichv Figure 1 represents in side elevation my improved tricycle. Fig. 2 shows in front; clevation the stecring-wlnarl and partsol' the connecting mechanism. Fig. 3 showsin side elevation the seat, propellingmechanism, and part; of the frame-work. lrig. L shows the top plan view of my improved tricycle. Fi L 5shows in section on a vertical plane through thecentcr of the drivinghxles a part of the driving mechanism, a part, ot the frame, a balance axle-gear, thc ctmstiruction ol' the main axles, and hub of the dri\ 'ing-whecl. Fig. b shows in detail and perspective part of the steering mechanism, and Fig. 7 shows on a larger scale and in elevation at part'ot the mechanism shown in Fig. I

in all the drawings the same letters refer to the same parts. 1

A A are two wheels abrcz'i-stt, which may be called the .main wheels or driving; l wheels of the tricycle, having spokes n. a; and hub-flanges b I).

B is a smaller third wheel in front; of on of the driving-wheels A,havingspol esb I), hub

steeringwheel. t l

l) D are axles, which may be tubular, as shown, and which may form part of the hub of the wheel. the flanges ot' the wheels (6 d being secured directly to them.

D Dai e extensions of the axles D I), which may be either solid or tubular, or part solid and parttubnlar, as shown, and each of \Vlilt 11 may be in separate piece and brazed or otherwise secured to the part. 1), or may be in one piece with the part 1), the tubular parts rt d being made so for lightness.

E is a tubular portion of the tl';llilG-\\'O1l, bent; downward and outward at; its forward end, and connected at c. by means of a vertical spindle or otherwise, with the Steering-head 1 i is a dwarf sterringdiead,which may consis! of a cyliinlrival middle partropen at; one side toreceivethesleerii1;;'-eentcr e,amlalltn'ding a, seat for the lower end of th spindle ol' the steering-eenter, and having an adjustable seat; tor the upper end ot the steering-center on a threaded bolt or screw, f, and having a short stamlarthj', to which the axle t is attaened.

l) isantnh r tubular portion of the battle, secured tothe portion l'l'by a joi'nt'orbracket, and \\'lllt'll may extend across the tricycle between the main wheels and above their axles. .l) is another tubular portion of the l'ramc connecting, by a ln-aeket; or lug, c, a with the portion l5, and tangentially to it, and which may serve as that portion of the frame to support, the lower partv oli the driving mechanism by means of the bracket at its lower end, and at its uppcnendto support the seat and its adjusting mechanism.

1') is a back stay connecting; wil the frame t 3 bearings for the inner ends of the axles l) l),

and llanges 1 by which the two parts G ti may be bolted or otherwise secured together, and which contain-lrearings tor the lJlOV/lb shall; I.

U are tubular sleeves or extensions at tached by their inner ends to the gear-box G, and at their outer ends affording supports for the bearings R and the lugs r, and connecting them with the frame.

H is a sprocket wheel or drum having a row of chain-teeth, h 71, at its peripher and one or two flanges, a a, for the application of the band-brake, and having an internal flange, h, by which it may be bolted or otherwiseattaclied to the balance-axle gearbox. The block-shaft- I is constructed with a rectangular central part, which may serve as a stopfor the ends of the axles D l), and affords at its ends axles forthe intermediate gear-wheels, M, which turn free upon it.

D D" are toothed wheels upon the ends of the axles I) l), meshing with the intermediate gear, 17, and affording on their opposite sides shoulders which may bear against the inner surfaces of the parts G G of the gearbox, and which may be held upon the axles l) 1) by means of keys (I? d", or otherwise,

so that when the parts are in position as shownin Fig. 5 each axle D is prevented from longitudinal motion in one direction by the block shaft I, and from such motion in the opposite direction by a shoulder on the wheel I) and the key d". In the construction as shown a space is left insidethe tubular part G and between the shoulders or bearings g and d, so that the part 1) may move far enough into the part (i of the gear-box to place the gear-wheel 1* upon it and secure it by means of the key (2, or otherwise, in puttingthe machine together.

J is a bracket, which may be a part with or separate from the bracket e" c, and which may serve as a connection by means of the clamp j with the support for the seat-rod, and by means of the lugs j j as support for the band-brake, and also as aconnection for the two parts of the frame 1') 51".

K is the seat-rod, with a clamp, Ir, to rcceivc and hold the saddle-spring K, and which is held by means of the clamp j adjustable in any position, according to the height and size of the rider, with reference to the drivingshaft.

K is the seat or saddle.

L is a lever connected at one end with the dwarf steering-head F, and at the other end by means of a joint with the steering-rod m, and this latter has at one end the rack in, curved to a form similar to a slow spiral on its plain sides adjacent to the tooth -and this rack may be bent forward, or the rod m may be bent outwaid, or both so that the'two may be moved backward and forward without conflict with the spokes or any other part of the machine. The rack m is operated by means of a pinion. in, upon a rod, m connecting with the steering-rod M, which latter may be 'adjustable and brought to the correct position for the hand of the rider.

M is a supportinghaudle on the opposite side.

- N is a brake-lever fixed to a N, which is free tobe partially revolved in the lugs j and a and to which is fixed a projection or small level, a. Connected with this short lever n is a band or strap, a, passing around the flange a and connecting with the lug j, connected with the frame of the tricycle.

O is an endless chain passing around the sprocket-wheel O and the drun H,.bearing the teeth h. The sprocket O is upon the crank-shaft 1), bearing the cranks P l, on which are the pedals I" l and which takes its bearings in the bracket Q, attached by a clamp, e, or otherwise, to the part E of the frame.

The placing of the steering-wheel D on one side and in front of one of the driving-wheels A makes the machine substantially a twotrack machine, with three points of support, flVOltllllg much of the obstruction met with in the three-track machine. and leaves a substantially open front, much to the convenience and safety of the rider. The construction of the frame of substanlialtwthree tubular pieces and tll'lilllgt' tl. as shown secures greatrigidity and strength in all parts of the frame, with extreme lightness as well, and no superfluous material. The inclination of the part E is such as to bring the crank-shaft substantially beneath the common center of gravity and effort of the rider, and the arrangement of the clamp 0" enables the crank-shaft and its connccted mechanism to be mo"ed to adjust them to the proper tension of the chain. The con' struction of the dwarf steering-head on the inside of the steering-wheel, and the bending downward and outward ofthe part- I] of the frame connected with it, secures great lightness and accuraey'ot' operation inthe structure, steadiness of action, and economy in manufacturing. The spiral curve in the rack in on the steering-rod m enables this rod, as shown, to follow substantially the direction of the part E of the frame, and make an angle greater than a right angle with the )(l m", which carries the pinion m", and enables the rack mCto be operated by the pinion m", with the teeth in proper position throughout the length of the rack, thus obtaining greater ciliciency, a saving in weightof the machine,and more comeliness in the structure. The construction of the inclined scat-rod K is such as to allow not only a vertical adjustment of the seat and the pddal, but also to give with it a forc-and-aft adji'istment physiologically and mechanicallydesirable, because greater reach implies greater length of leg in the rider, which means greater length of upper leg as well as lower, and of arm, and hence this in-' clinc of the seat-rod K gives a better adjust;

'ment of position for the rider. At the same time it enables part of the seat-rod below the clamp J, in which it is held, to pass into the tube E" out of the way without interfering or comingin contactwith other parts of the mechconnecting-rod,

' the seat, or an extension of the rod between i anism. the combination construction in one part of the bracket J, and the Inn's and the cylindrical.part'e", which passcsaround the part E of the frame, seen-ring greater rigidity, lightness, simplicity, and economy in the construction of the machine, though they areiiotnecessarily all made in one part.

I-leretofore in the joiningof two tubular parts of the frame at right angles to each other in T form clamps or joints have been used having two cylindrical parts in one piece, so that the axial lines of these two parts would fall substantially in lhe'same plane; but by the construction I have shown and described, in which the two parts a and e are tangential to each other, I secure not only the OllpOlil'lnity of allowing the inclined S fi-t'l0l.l*it. o pass into one of the tubes, but also-such tan" gcntial arrangement of the two tubes joined lay-this bracket as to allow a better angle of direction for the tube E and space for the operation of the sprocket-drum H around the main shaft, and betweenthe latter and E and a closer or lower position of the tube E, also more advantageous.

By the arrangement of the brake mechanism as shown I get the advantage of applying a double handbrake, and also of having the brakelever at one side of the machine and the brake'tlrum at the middle ofthc machine upon the driving mechanism without the neces sity of a separate drum.

By the construction of. the wheel and its flanges d (1 and the shaft or half-axle D as shown and described I. am enabled to make a lighter, more secure, and more economical wheel and axle, the axle forming a part of the -wl:e::l, and much material being dispensed with, while greater strength is retained and:

amore accurate truing up of the wheel.

Ky the construction of the tubular parts D it and their connections, as shown and do scribed, with each other and with the balance axle'gear and sprocketdrnmlseoure not only greater lightness of structure, but more con venicnt and economical assembling, disasout parts may he made without departing from my invention, and I do not mean to limit, my-

-sclf to the precise forms and arrmigements shown and described.

I. claim as new and of my 1nvent1on- 1. A tricyleframe consisting in three tubu' '1211' parts, E E E, of which one, 15', is substantially parallel with and shorter than the axial line between the two main wheels and adapted totake its support on the axles there of, one, Enis substantially at right angles to and attached at;- or near one end of thelast and bent both downward and outward to take its connection with the steeringmechanism, and one, 16*, at or near the middle of the for v mer and inclined downward so as to take near its lower end the support of a crankshaft,

and said parts being, as at c c e", connected rigidly together, essentially as set forth.

2. In a yclocipcdea dwarf steering-head,

F, with a short, single vertical standard], to

rcccire the axle of the steering-wheel, and a cylindrical part with step and adjustable follower t'or the steering-spindle, and auope'n ing: to receive and permit partial rotation of the steering-spindle, and neck e of the conncc-ting framc, and an arm connected with said stcerihgdiead for thcattach'ment of a steeringrod, essentially as setforth.

3. ln arack-and-pinion steering mechanism for a veloci'pede, a bent spiralrack, essentially as set forth.

4-. In a Yelocipede, the inclined seat-rod K, bracket J, clampj and bracket It, constructed, combined, and adapted to operate essentially as set forth. Y

The com'binationbracket J c c jj', constructed and adapted to hold a seat-rod, a brakerod, and two parts 'of the frame together, essentially as set forth.

6. A bracket, 0 e, consisting, of two cylindrica'l parts whose axial lines are at right angles to each other, and adapted to hold two.

cylindrical parts of the frame togethertad gentially to each other, cssentiallyas set forth.

7.- A sproeketcylinder, H, havin'gaperiphoral rowot' teeth, It, a band-brake flange, al and an inward llauge, h, 'for attachment to the axle mechanismof a volocipede, essentially shown and described.

8. The combination, in a velocipede, of a sprocket wheel, H, or its ct piivalent, a balanceaxlegear', (.lt'tl I i I) l)", or its equivalent,

axles I) I), and extensiontubcs G G, 0011- structed and adapted to operate essentially as.

Set forth.

9. In avclocipede, a intake-drum, a", located licncntht-h'e seat and connected with the driving mechanism, a hand, a, rod N, levers N a, and hearings and connections, constructed and combined to operate essentially as set forth.

10. In a vclocipcde, a tubular inner axle,

1) l), and a tubular outer axle, ti, the former connected with a balance-axle mechanism and a main wheel, and the latter connected with thet'ramc and thebalance-axlemechanism and driving-gear, and a means for connectingaml limiting the relative longitudinal motion of the two,- essent-ially as set forth.

ll. A combined axle and wheel hub consisting ina tubular part, D, bearin flanges for spokes, and extending beyond the wheel to take connections with the frame and the as set. forth.

12. In a tricycle, a divided axle each part of which is constructed and adapted to he (cum-010d will: a alance-axle gear and drivin; mechanism at one 0nd,:1nd at the other end has flanges for the spokes of a driving wheel. essentially as set forth.

13. The combination of tube D, extension D, flanges (Z d, spokes a a, and a .felly constructed and adapted to operate in a veloci: pede, essentially as andfor the purposes set\ forth.

14. An improved tricycle consisting, sub stantially, of two drivi11g-\v1ieels abreast con nected by a divided axle each part of which i'ormsan integral part of one of the said wheels, a balance-gear and its box and sleeve extensions having bearings for thedivided axle and the frame, a threepart tubular frame, one part being transverse and carrying the seat and brake mechanisms, one part at right angles to the latter, centrally located, andbearing the driving mechanism, and one part, also at right angles to the first tube, located at one side and bent downward and outward and carrying the steeri ng mechanism, asteerin g-whee1 tracking with one of the driving-wheels and connected by a dwarf steering-head with the frame, pedal and crank driving mechanism. ,and seat, handle, and steering mechanisms, all constructed and combined to operate substantially as and for the purposes set forth. r

ALBERT E. WALLACE.

' NVitnesses:

WM. B. N ELSON,

W. B. BROTHERTON. 

